Enhancement of Acoustic Performance of Oil Palm Frond Natural Fibers by Substitution of Jute Fiber

Noise is defined as an unpleasant or loud sound, which may cause disturbance to others. It can damage an inner ear and even cause noise-induced hearing loss, threatening health and well-being. Researchers have successfully studied and invented many different types, shapes, and sizes of sound absorbers to absorb/control unwanted noises. A simple method used to control noise is by controlling the noise source using acoustic absorption panels, reducing noise along the transmission path, and protecting the noise at the receiving end before it reaches the receiver. Presently, the market or in most developed countries uses synthetic materials for buildings to absorb sound. The commonly used synthetic materials are glass or mineral fibers as they can be produced chemically in the factory very quickly. However, materials such as foam, rock wool, and glass wool made from minerals are recognized for their poisonous and polluting effects, which are harmful to human health and the environment. This paper reported the effect of substitution of Jute on the acoustic performance of Oil Palm Frond (OPF) natural fibers (150 kg/m3) with a thickness of 19 mm. Jute is suitable for insulating, antistatic, and low thermal conductivity. It also has a promising result of sound absorption coefficient (SAC) at lower frequency range (50 - 1000 Hz), and on the contrary for OPF, the SAC is only promising at higher frequency range (2000 Hz - 6400 Hz). Thus, it will be very remarkable to study these two blending fibers' acoustic performance. The findings show the substitution of Jute to broaden the frequency range of SAC above 0.8. For 20 % of jute substitution, SAC's frequency range above 0.8 is 1600 – 6400 Hz. Whereas for both 40 % and 60 % of jute substitution, the frequency range is marginally widened to 1400 – 6400 Hz. For 80 % of jute substitution, the frequency range of SAC above 0.8 has been increased to 1000 – 6400 Hz. An impressive result has been observed, where 100 % OPF unable to reach the SAC of 0.9 throughout the frequency range of 0 – 6400 Hz. Jute has proved its ability to improve its acoustic performance at a more comprehensive frequency range.